Rating Rationale
October 17, 2019 | Mumbai
Namdhari Seeds Private Limited
Rated amount enhanced
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.137 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.122 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL A-/Negative (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A-/Negative/CRISIL A2+' ratings on the bank facilities of Namdhari Seeds Private Limited (NSPL; part of the Namdhari group).
 
NSPL's operations continue to be working capital intensive, with gross current assets of about 217 days as on March 31, 2019. Besides, extended credit to export customers also adds to working capital intensity; the company derives 25-30% of overall revenues from exports.
 
Operating performance, however, improved in fiscal 2019 year-on-year, with revenue increasing 16% to Rs 361 crore and operating profitability rising to 7.7%. Steady growth in the seeds business, reduction in wastage in the farm fresh division, and favourable foreign exchange (forex) rates have benefited operating margin, albeit the modest losses in the retail subsidiary. In fiscals 2018 and 2017, operating margin had declined to 4.2% and 6.5%, respectively, from 10-12% in the preceding three fiscals due to weaker profitability in the farm fresh division.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the Namdhari group's established market position and strong track record in the agricultural seeds and fruits and vegetables business, and adequate financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by the group's vulnerability to risks associated with the agriculture-based commodity business, moderate liquidity, and exposure to group and associate companies and to volatility in export demand and forex rates.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of NSPL and its subsidiary: Namdhari Agro Fresh Pvt Ltd (NAFPL; rated 'CRISIL BBB/Negative'). This is because the companies, collectively referred to as the Namdhari group, are under common management and in related businesses, and have financial fungibility.
 
The difference between tax under dispute and tax paid has been included under adjusted debt.

Please refer Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Established market position and strong track record: NSPL is one of the top four sellers of tomato and watermelon seeds in India by volume because of the company's extensive distribution network (of over 250 agents). It also has strong research and development (R&D) capabilities in the vegetable, fruit, and flower seeds segments, and has successfully developed several hybrid seeds with better yield, quality, and disease resistance in the past 20 years. Business risk profile is further strengthened by diversification into allied businesses, such as production of fruits and vegetables, and retailing of fresh farm products under NAFPL. In the farm fresh division, NSPL has been exporting fruits and vegetables to the UK and Europe for over 20 years and has developed healthy relationships with the customers. The company's established market position and steady demand prospects will enable the company to grow at over 15% compound annual growth rate in the medium term, while sustaining margin improvement at 8-9%
 
* Adequate financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is marked by healthy networth and gearing, estimated at Rs 212 crore and 0.77 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2019. Debt protection metrics improved in fiscal 2019 following an increase in profitability and higher cash generation: interest cover and net cash accrual to total debt ratios rose to 3.8 times and 0.13 time, respectively, in fiscal 2019 from 2.1 time and 0.05 time the previous fiscal.
 
However, sizeable exposure to associate companies (of around Rs 40 crore) continues to constrain return on capital employed (RoCE). The ratio was less than 10% in the past 5 fiscals and is likely to remain stable over the medium term since group investments are expected to continue. Furthermore, NSPL has planned regular maintenance capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 12-13 crore per annum over the medium term, while NAFPL has planned capex of 7-8 crore in fiscal 2020 towards addition of stores and warehouse. While the capex will be partly debt-funded, gearing should remain below 1 time, supported by steady accretion to reserve. Exposure to group companies and cash outflows will remain key rating sensitivity factors over the medium term.
 
Weaknesses
* Susceptibility to risks inherent in the agriculture sector: NSPL's business is constrained by several external factors, including monsoon, soil conditions, climatic conditions, and crop diseases. Although the use of innovative technologies and continuous R&D activities partially offset the risks, turnover and margin remain exposed to any adverse changes in these factors.
 
* Vulnerability to volatility in export demand and in forex rates: Exports accounted for about 25-30% of revenue in fiscal 2019. While NSPL has the flexibility to pass on a portion of the hike in forex rates through negotiations, the risk of fluctuations in the rates persists. This is because NSPL's steps to partially offset the impact remains contingent upon the clients' willingness to accept the extent of price revision. This is reflected in weak profitability in the farm fresh division, compared with the seeds segment. Operating margin had reduced sharply in fiscal 2018 following unfavourable forex movements. Furthermore, the farm fresh division faces stiff competition from many countries across the world in the exports segment.
 
Liquidity: Adequate
Liquidity is adequate, although it is marked by working capital intensity. NSPL has working capital bank lines (which were enhanced in January 2019) of Rs 98 crores. Average bank limit utilisation (BLU) was 89% for 12 months ending May 2019. NSPL at a consolidated level is expected to generate annual accruals of over Rs 30 crore in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 against which term debt payments are moderate at Rs 10-13 crore per annum. Consolidated capex is expected to be Rs 15-20 crore in fiscals 2020 and 2021 and will be partly debt funded. CRISIL expects internal accruals and unutilized bank lines to be largely sufficient to meet its repayment obligations and incremental working capital requirements. However, this could result in increased BLU.
Outlook: Negative

While the business outlook for NSPL is healthy, working capital cycle is expected to remain high, limiting material improvement in its liquidity position. 
 
Rating sensitivity factors
Upward factor
* Sustained revenue growth of over 20% and stable operating margin of over 9% leading to higher than- expected cash generation
* Improved liquidity, supported by timely export realisations and sustenance of  credit metrics at adequate levels
* Favorable decision in the tax dispute leading to substantial cash inflows, benefiting liquidity  
 
Downward factor
* Decline in operating profitability to below 6%
* Continued moderate liquidity
* Higher investments in associate companies or large debt funded capex leading to deterioration of credit metrics
* Adverse decision in the tax dispute impacting credit metrics

About NSPL
NSPL, set up in 1985 and based in Bengaluru, is promoted by Mr Uday Singh. It produces and trades in fruit, flower, field crops, and vegetable seeds. In fiscal 2008, the group ventured into institutional sales and export of fruits and vegetables under Namdhari Farm Fresh Pvt Ltd (which has since been merged with NSPL), and retailing of food products and fruits and vegetables under NAFPL. NSPL has farm land in Udhagamandalam (Tamil Nadu), Punjab, and in some parts of Karnataka.
 
About NAFPL
NAFPL, set up in 2005 and based in Bengaluru, is also promoted by Mr Uday Singh. It primarily retails fresh fruits and vegetables and other essential groceries under the Namdhari Fresh brand. At its retail stores, it primarily sells exotic vegetables such as red cabbage and broccoli as well as common vegetables procured from its parent, NSPL. NAFPL currently has 30 stores in Bengaluru.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 311 294
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore (4) 4
PAT margin % (1.2) 1.2
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.81 0.69
Interest coverage Times 2.08 3.19

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs crore) Rating assigned with outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 49.0 CRISIL A-/Negative
NA Packing Credit In Foreign Currency NA NA NA 49.0 CRISIL A2+
NA Term Loan NA NA Apr-2021 39.0 CRISIL A-/Negative

Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Fully consolidated entities:
Namdhari Agro Fresh Pvt Ltd
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  137.00  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+  04-10-19  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+  23-10-18  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+  04-07-17  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+  24-08-16  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+ 
        17-09-19  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+               
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 49 CRISIL A-/Negative Cash Credit 37 CRISIL A-/Negative
Packing Credit in Foreign Currency 49 CRISIL A2+ Packing Credit in Foreign Currency 43 CRISIL A2+
Term Loan 39 CRISIL A-/Negative Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 2 CRISIL A-/Negative
-- 0 -- Term Loan 40 CRISIL A-/Negative
Total 137 -- Total 122 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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